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Slip and fall injuries can happen at any place and time when you live in the north. Each slip and fall accident is different, but severe cases can lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and paralysis. It’s essential to understand how often these accidents happen and what steps you can take to prevent a slip and fall accident both at home and in the workplace.
What is Considered a Slip and Fall Injury?
A slip and fall injury can be the result of two situations. A slip happens when there isn’t enough friction from under a person’s foot that leads to the person’s feet slipping from under them, and a fall occurs when a person loses their balance on any form of surface. These accidents usually happen in the following conditions:
- Icy parking lots or walkways
- Wet floors
- Poor lighting
- Cluttered areas
How Many People are Affected by Slip and Fall Injuries?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized due to a slip and fall injury. Those who are victims to slip and fall accidents are mostly older persons who cannot recover as fast due to their age and health status. From 2007 to 2016, fall death rates have rapidly increased, especially in the winters due to icy conditions on sidewalks and pathways.
Falls are more common for people with weak muscles, vision problems, and body pains. Healthcare professionals recommend practicing a healthy lifestyle to prevent inevitable falls from happening. However, slip and falls in icy conditions can be harder to avoid.
Follow these tips that can help you save a trip to the hospital this winter:
- Wear footwear with higher traction in icy conditions.
- Take steps with caution—although snow can be visible, black ice is not.
- Keep your walkways free of snow.
- Avoid running at all costs.
What Happens if I Sustained a Serious Injury From a Slip and Fall Accident?
If you suffer from a fall this winter, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you assess the severity of the injury, ask yourself, was this fall at the fault of someone else’s negligence? If you answer yes, it’s best to seek legal counsel to help receive damages to compensate for your losses.
How Gulf South Law Firm Can Help
Have you been put in a painful position and are looking for compensation? Contact the Gulf South Law Firm team to represent you today. Our team of skilled attorneys is ready to help you retain compensation for workplace or personal injuries. When you need someone advocating for your rights, we are there.
If you or a loved one are looking for legal representation, give us a call at (228) 231-3989 or visit our fill out the form on our website to get in touch with a team member today.